Consent to Participate in a Research Study

WHY ARE YOU BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS RESEARCH?

You are being invited to take part in a research study about equine trail riding. If you volunteer to take part in this study, you will be one of about 500 people to do so.

WHO IS DOING THE STUDY?

The person in charge of this study is Dr. Angelos Pagoulatos (PI), Professor of the Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky. There may be other people on the research team assisting at different times during the study.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?

The purpose of this study is to measure what physical characteristics are desired by trail riders in order to determine the economic value of equine trail riding

WHERE IS THE STUDY GOING TO TAKE PLACE AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The research procedures will be conducted in the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) particularly at Cave Run, Barren Fork, and Bell Farm. The total amount of time you will be asked to volunteer for this study is approximately 20-30 minutes.

WHAT WILL YOU BE ASKED TO DO?

You will need to answer the questions in the survey to the best of your knowledge.

ARE THERE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?

Everyone is eligible to participate in equine trail riding.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKES AND DISCOMFORTS?

To the best of our knowledge, the things you will be doing have no more risk of harm than you would experience in everyday life. Disclosure of the participants' responses cannot in any way be damaging to their financial standing, employability, or reputation.

Although we have made every effort to minimize this, you may find some questions we ask you (or some procedures we ask you to do) to be upsetting or stressful. If so, we can tell you about some people who may be able to help you with these feelings.

In addition to the risks listed above, you may experience a previously unknown risk or side effect.

WILL YOU BENEFIT FROM TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?

We cannot and do not guarantee that you will receive any personal benefits from taking part in this study. Your willingness to take part, however, may, in the future, help society as a whole better understand this research topic.

DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE PART IN THE STUDY?

If you decide to take part in the study, it should be because you really want to volunteer. You will not lose any benefits or rights you would normally have if you choose not to volunteer. You can stop at any time during the study and still keep the benefits and rights you had before volunteering. If you decide not to take part in this study, your decision will have no effect on the quality of care, services, etc., you receive.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE STUDY, ARE THERE OTHER CHOICES?

If you do not want to be in the study, there are no other choices except not to take part in the study.

WHAT WILL IT COST YOU TO PARTICIPATE?

There are no costs associated with taking part in the study.

WILL YOU RECEIVE ANY REWARDS FOR TAKING PART IN THIS STUDY?

You will not receive any rewards or payment for taking part in the study.

WHO WILL SEE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU GIVE?

Your information will be combined with information from other people taking part in the study. When we write about the study to share it with other researchers, we will write about the combined information we have gathered. You will not be identified in these written materials. We may publish the results of this study.

CAN YOUR TAKING PART IN THE STUDY END EARLY?

If you decide to take part in the study you still have the right to decide at any time that you no longer want to continue. You will not be treated differently if you decide to stop taking part in the study.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR COMPLAINTS?

Before you decide whether to accept this invitation to take part in the study, please ask any questions that might come to mind now. Later, if you have questions, suggestions, concerns, or complaints about the study, you can contact the investigator, Dr. Angelos Pagoulatos (PI) at 859-257-3482. If you have any questions about your rights as a volunteer in this research, contact the staff in the Office of Research Integrity at the University of Kentucky at 859-257-9428 or toll free at 1-866-400-9428. We will give you a signed copy of this consent form to take with you.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

You will be told if any new information is learned which may affect your condition or influence your willingness to continue taking part in this study.

KENTUCKY EQUINE TRAILS SURVEY 2007

Introduction:

This survey is being administered by the University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics. The survey is about what people like and don't like about the horse trails in eastern Kentucky around the Daniel Boone National Forest. The information collected will be used to study management of horse trails in Kentucky. The information you provide is confidential.

Respondent Information:

1. Sex: Male Female
2. Age (years, select one):
   
   Under 18
   18-25
   26-35
   36-45
   45-55
   56-65
   Over 65
   
3. Home Zip Code:
4. Highest level of education completed: (select one)
   Grade School
   Middle School
   High School
   Associate Degree
   Bachelor Degree
   Graduate Degree (MS, PhD, etc.)
   Professional Degree (MD, lawyer, etc.)
   
5. Household Annual Income: (Select one)
   $0-12,000
   $12,001-25,000
   $25,001-40,000
   $40,001-60,000
   $60,001-80,000
   $80,001-100,000
   over $100,000
   
6. We would like you to think of one of the following trail riding locations in Eastern KY. Please select the location you wish to evaluate.
   
   White Sulpher Horse Camp
   Stoney Cove Recreation Area (Caney)
   Bell Farm
   Stampede Run
   Never been to any of these locations
   
   If you have never been to any of the above locations, please identify a location in Kentucky you are familiar with and evaluate it below. The location you selected is .
7. From what city or ZIP code do you normally travel to get to a trail riding facility?
8. How many times a year do you visit this location?
9. How many day trail riding trips do you usually take per year to this location?
10. Based on your answer to question 9 above, how many of these trips are in:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    
11. How many overnight trail riding trips do you usually take per year to this location?
12. Based on your answer to question 11 above, how many of these trips are in:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fall
    Winter
    
13. In the last year, when you visited this horse trail, how many nights did you stay at:
    Camping at the site
    Camping nearby
    Nearby hotel/motel
    House/cabin
    

    (Is the cabin yours? ) Yes No

General

14. Comments: